JPH05508489A - Cleaning device with blades that follow the surface - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention provides a surface that comes into contact with a developer in an electrostatographic copying machine or printer. Relating to a cleaning device for removing residual developer and other particles from surfaces . More particularly, the present invention provides a cleaner that uniformly follows the contours of the surface to be cleaned. The present invention relates to a cleaning device as described above having a leaning blade.

Background technology electrostatic charge or charging, as well as an insulated reusable photoconductive surface. forming or replicating a toner image on a selected substrate using toner particles that are Electrostatographic processing equipment generally operates through a series of steps that are currently well known. the above The steps include (1) charging an insulated photoconductive surface; and (2) charging said surface. A latent image is electrostatically formed on the surface by selectively discharging each area of the (3) transferring the electrostatic image so formed to developer particles containing toner particles; (4) Transferring the toner image to a suitable base material, and developing the toner image on the base material. (5) a developer contacting surface of the device; and a step of cleaning with a cleaning device, the cleaning device comprising: , remove any remaining developer and other particles from the surface and form another image in the same way. Prepare to go.

The reason for the need for cleaning as described above is that during the above process, the electrostatographic equipment In addition to the photoconductive surface in the This is because they come into contact with developer particles and become contaminated by them. Therefore, as mentioned above The quality of the images formed by electrostatographic equipment depends, for example, on the reuse of conductive surfaces. Much depends on the effectiveness of the cleaning device when cleaning before use.

Several types of cleaning devices have been developed including brush and blade types. came. Such devices are described, for example, in Brown, published September 26, 1989. (Brown) U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,449, issued May 2, 1989. U.S. Patent No. 4.827 by Bothner et al. No. 311, and Oda U.S. Pat. No. 311, issued February 26, 1985. No. 4.501,620. blade type cleaning blade generally includes long and thin pieces of flexible material, e.g. first and second long edges. Constructed from steel with. For example, the first long edge a cleaning edge mounted to engage the cleaning surface in a scraping manner; It is. The second long edge securely attaches the blade as described above to the support member. The attachment for mounting is at the edge. Cleaning edge installed to apply a uniform load to the surface to be cleaned and Uniform contact with the surface is desirable. The surfaces to be cleaned are generally those listed above. passing through the cleaning edge of the attached blade.

However, with the brackets attached and the surfaces to be cleaned as described above, There is generally a problem of spatial misalignment between the two. Such inconsistencies are Incorrect installation may be caused by tolerances and/or slope of the surface to be cleaned. There is. Further complicating this problem is that the prior art A long, thin blade under load typically has a The fact is that it cannot be bent at the same time and easily. Directly from this fact The result is that the cleaning edge of the blade is spread evenly over the surface to be cleaned. can not touch the same surface and also provides an even load on the surface to be cleaned. This means that it is not possible to do so. After all, as a final result, cleaning This results in insufficient and inefficient cleaning of surfaces that need to be cleaned. Images formed using electrostatographic equipment equipped with defects) or other defects.

Disclosure of invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrostatic photocopier or printer in which a developer is brought into contact with a cleaning device that effectively removes residual developer and other particles from surfaces The goal is to provide the following.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning agent that follows the surface to be cleaned uniformly. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device as described above, which is equipped with an edge.

Another object of the invention is to uniformly move the cleaning blade to the cleaning device. By providing a cleaning device as described above with means for pressing the be.

According to the present invention, in an electrostatographic copying machine or printer, it is possible to Cleaning equipment to remove residual developer and other particles from moving surfaces location is provided. This cleaning device has a cleaning edge. The cleaning blade is equipped with a cleaning blade and the cleaning edge is attached to the cleaning point. and contacts the surface to be cleaned in cleaning relation. Chestnut The cleaning device further includes a cleaning edge that cleans at the cleaning point. The surface to be cleaned is Ability to float in horizontal, vertical, and rotational directions relative to the surface , comprising means for attaching said cleaning blade. cleaning The apparatus further includes, at the cleaning point, moving the cleaning edge to the cleaning point. Apply pressure evenly to the surface to be cleaned in order to clean it, and A means for pressing is provided.

Brief description of the drawing In the following detailed description of the invention, reference will be made to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the cleaning device of the invention in contact with the surface to be cleaned. is a diagram, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the floating mounting means of the present invention; Holding bins and mountings show holes.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, a cleaning apparatus of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. There is. As shown in the figure, the cleaning device 10 includes a copying machine or a printer (not shown). Surfaces that come into contact with the developer of electrostatographic reproduction equipment, such as ) to effectively remove residual particles such as developer or other particles. ing. An example of a copying machine as mentioned above is the Chilipass, which was issued on April 26, 1988. U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,818 to Tsilibes et al. The content of the above-mentioned U.S. patent is hereby incorporated by reference. illuminate As shown, surface 14 is moving, for example in the direction of arrow 16.

As is well known, in an electrostatographic copier or printer (not shown), The developer contacting surface 14 is, for example, a photoconductive surface of a copier or printer. or an image-bearing surface, such as the surface of an intermediate toner image transfer member. can. However, in the present invention, the developer contacting surface 14 is Toner or cartridge used to develop images in a machine or printer Appropriate movement of a copier or printer that comes into contact with developer particles such as rear particles It can be any surface that is possible. The cleaning device 10 of the present invention includes, for example, of a moving photoconductive member 18 of a copier or printer (not shown) as described above. The use of the surface 14 when used as an image-bearing surface will be described in detail. It will be revealed.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cleaning device 10 includes first and second cleaning points P. 1, Pl, and at each of these cleaning points, the remaining development Agents and other particles 12 can be removed from the moving surface 14. cleaning The tracking points P1, Pl are located along a fixed path of movement 20 of the surface 14 and 0, the first cleaning point P1 is located at the second cleaning point P1 with respect to the direction of movement of the surface 14. It is located downstream of the cleaning point P2.

Further, as shown in the figure, the cleaning g210 includes a scraper or scraping model. a first cleaning element 22 comprising a cleaning blade of There is. The first element or blade 22 is long and thin (having a desired thickness T). , is preferably a piece of flexible material, such as stainless steel. blade 22 has a cleaning portion or first edge 24 (FIG. 2), which A first edge of this is applied to the moving surface 14 at a first cleaning point P1. contact with it during cleaning and expose any remaining developer and other particles. Remove from side 14. The first cleaning element or blade 22 It is important that the body be provided with means for floating mounting, indicated by the reference numeral 26. The attachment means is configured to attach the blade 2 at the first cleaning point P1. 2 is mounted in a floating relationship relative to the surface 14.

The floating mounting means 26 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a housing member 28 and a support. a first cleaning element 30; the first clip so that the cleaning edge 24 of the blade 22 is located at Pl. It supports leaning elements or blades 22. The support member 30 includes 2 and the floating gap is connected to a portion of the housing 28 and the support as shown. It is formed by a part of the top member 30. The floating gap 32 is in the blade In order to be able to perform floating movements in the gap 32, the width of the gap 32 is That is, the blade 22 is formed so that its height is wider than the thickness T of the blade 22. Gah! Within the blade 32 are a plurality of blade retaining bits provided in association with the support member 30. A tunnel 36 is formed. The holding bin 36 may be attached to a blade support, for example as shown. can be connected to the seat member 30. In any case, each bin 36 is It is necessary to have a certain diameter d1, and for example, a floating gap must be It is necessary to partially protrude into the pool 32. As shown, the holding bin 36 is Spaced apart from each other along the length of the port members 30! has been done.

In addition, a hole 40 is formed through the thickness of the blade 22 to attach the blade. , the mounting hole extends adjacent the elongated second edge 34 of the blade 22; A holding bottle 36 is housed therein. Hole 40 is shown as circular, but may be oblong. Alternatively, it may have any other suitable shape. The hole 40 is a retaining bit of the support member 30. The blades 22 are spaced apart on the blade 22 to approximately correspond to the spacing of the blades 36 . each The hole 40 has a predetermined straight diameter that is sufficiently larger than the predetermined diameter d1 of the corresponding holding bin 36. It is necessary to have a diameter d2. The reason is that the blade 22 is not suitable for the bin 36. when installed in the gap 32 relative to the retaining bin 36. so that the card can move freely, i.e. vertically, longitudinally, horizontally, and rotated. This is so that it can float in the direction of rotation. around the holding bin 36 Such floating movement of the blade 22, of course, also reduces the cleaning process of the blade 22. surface 14 at the first cleaning point P1. This directly causes the floating movement, or substantially noticeable interlocking, of the the As a result of such interlocking, the cleaning edges 24 of the blades 22 simultaneously It can flex, twist in the length direction, or slope in the width direction. By performing such a movement, the surface 14 is cleaned at the first cleaning point P1. Matches the outline uniformly and easily. Therefore, surface 1 Even if 4 is not perfectly straight or the surface is sloped, The floating blade 22 follows the contour of the surface 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaning device flO further includes a second cleaning device flO. A cleaning element is also provided, the cleaning element extending at least the length of the blade 22. It consists of elongated rotatable fiber brushes 42 having the same length.

As shown, the brush 42 includes compressible flexible bristles 44. Appropriately The well-known bristles were published in Reigelmuller et al. (Zi) published on July 25, 1989. e gelmuller et a! ), U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,880 Disclosed in the specifications. When the brush 42 is attached to the housing 28, for example, Rotated by a motor or belt drive in the direction of arrow 45, thereby The bristles 44 can pass through first and second cleaning points P1, P2.

At the first cleaning point P1, the bristles 44 clean the blade 22. portion, i.e. the first edge 24, and also the second cleaning point P2. During this time, the bristles 44 are applied to the surface 14 on which they move to clean them. The brush is attached so that it comes into contact with the handle. More importantly, the first Immediately downstream of the cutting point P1, the bristles 44 make such first contact with the blade 22. This means that it is necessary to make contact. Such first contact is the lever at point P1. creates a supporting force for the action, thus uniformly applying pressure and loading to the cleaning edge 24. , which causes this to be applied to the moving surface 14 at the cleaning point P1. The cleaning edge is engaged in cleaning relation thereto. have elasticity The bristles 44 move from the first cleaning point P1 to the second cleaning point P2. Applying such pressure and load to the blade 22 while moving downstream contact must be maintained.

The bristles 44 are then positioned against the moving surface at a second cleaning point P2. Any remaining developer and other particles from the surfaces 14 that come into contact with the desired cleaning remove the child. Therefore, the remaining particles are exposed to the load on the blade 22 at point P1. The surface is Removed from 14. As shown, defined by cleaning points P1, P2 In the cleaning area where the brush 42 is moved, the brush 42 is aligned with the direction of the moving surface 14 preferably move or rotate in opposite directions. This kind of rotational relationship The preferred reason is that, for example, the brush acting on the scraper blade 22 is Pressure and load is applied to the edge 24 of the board to contact the moving surface 14, and the edge 24 is brought into contact with the moving surface 14. This is because it prevents the particles 24 from rising up from the surface 14 and escaping.

The cleaning device 10 also includes a conveying means, such as a vacuum means 50, which conveying means , the developer and other particles removed from the bristles 44 of the brush 42 are transferred to the bristles 44. Move such particles etc. to the downstream side of points P1 and P2 in the direction of movement, and It is conveyed to the outside of the housing 28 in the direction away from the housing 28 . The brush 42 also removes residual It also plays the role of a part of the transport means by moving the particles that are 1 cleaning point P1 by the cleaning edge 24 is removed from the vacuum device 1! and moved to the second cleaning point P2, and then the vacuum device 1! f5 Ejected to 0.

As can be seen from the above description, the cleaning device 10 is a floating type cleaning device. a cleaning blade 22, the cleaning blade having a cleaning contact point P1; at a substantially free angle relative to the surface 14 being cleaned. You can move freely in the room. Therefore, the blade 22 is uniformly distributed over the surface 14. , and is uniformly loaded onto the surface 14. Also, the outfit 5!10 is The rotatable also includes a fiber brush 42 that directs the blades 22 against the surface 14. apply uniform pressure and load to engage this in cleaning relation. Compressible fibers or bristles 44 are provided. The bristles 44 of the brush also remain. Remove developer and other particles from surface 14, leaving the developer and other particles off surface 14. Transport it in the direction you want. Therefore, in the cleaning device 10 of the present invention, the surface 1 4 and the cleaning edge 24 of the blade 22 was precisely regulated. Alternatively, there is no need to uniformly load the blade 22 against the surface 14.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with particular reference to presently preferred embodiments, the present invention It is understood that various modifications and changes may be made within the principles and scope of the invention. It will be.

Hθ,l FIG.2 i:”io, 3 ! -Ladle-! f The cleaning device (10) for cleaning the image bearing surface (18) etc. The cleaning edge (24) uniformly follows the shape of the surface (14) to be cleaned. a flexible blade (22) having a cleaning edge (24); a cleaner that presses the cleaning edge uniformly against the surface (14); and a brush (42). Furthermore, cleaning equipment’! (10) is a blur The floating mounting supporting the card (22) also includes a member (26), which allows the The leaning edge (24) is located relative to the surface (14) to be cleaned. floating freely.

PCT/LIS 92103849

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus, moving particles ( 12) A cleaning device (10) for removing (a) cleaning At cleaning point (P1), cleaning-related material is applied to the surface (14) to be cleaned. a cleaning blade (22) having a contacting cleaning edge (24); )and, (b) said cleaning edge (24) is connected to said surface (1) to be cleaned; 4) in response to movably contacting said surface (14). At the cleaning point (P1), it moves in and out of the point, moves up and down, and swings. Attach the cleaning blade (22) so that it floats and interlocks with the cleaning blade (22). (c) floating attachment means (26) for said blade (22); Apply pressure and load evenly to the leaning edge (24) to complete the cleaning process. and means (42) for engaging the surface (14) in cleaning relation. A cleaning device with special features. 2. of residual developer from the moving surface (14) in an electrostatographic reproduction device. A cleaning device (10) for removing particles (12), comprising: (a) said The surface (14) to be cleaned is cleaned to remove toner particles from the surface (14). ) are present in a fixed path (20) of the first and second cleaning points (P1). , (P2) and (b) for removing toner particles (12) from the surface (14) to be cleaned; a cleaning portion (24) provided at the first cleaning point (P1); a first cleaning element comprising: the cleaning portion (24); being movably contacted by said moving surface (14) to be cleaned; according to the first cleaning point (P1). (c) said second cleaning point; (P2) toner particles from said moving surface (14) to be cleaned; (12) a second cleaning element for removing said first and second cleaning elements; cleaning points (P1) and (P2), and first cleaning the first cleaning point. At the cleaning point (P1), the cleaning of the first cleaning element (22) contacting and applying a load to the cleaning part (24) to remove said transfer to be cleaned; engaging the movable surface (14) in cleaning relation; at the cleaning point (P2) of the surface to be cleaned (14). a second cleaning element ( A cleaning device (10) comprising: 42). 3. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the removed toner particles are further comprising means for conveying away from the surface (14) to be cleaned. A cleaning device characterized by: 4. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the first cleaning point (P1) with respect to the direction of movement of the surface (14) to be cleaned; A cleaning device characterized in that it is provided on the downstream side of the cleaning point (P2) of No. 2. equipment. 5. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the first cleaning requirement A cleaning device characterized in that the element (22) is a scraper blade. 6. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the second cleaning requirement A cleaning device characterized in that the element (42) is a fiber brush. 7. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the first cleaning requirement The clean cleaning portion (24) is a scraped edge. leaning equipment. 8. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the first cleaning requirement The cleaning portion (24) of the element (22) is located at the first cleaning point (P 1), relative to said surface (14) to be cleaned, substantially A cleaning device characterized by being able to move freely. 9. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the first cleaning requirement The element (22) is provided with floating attachment means (26), said attachment means being said first cleaning element relative to said surface (14) to be cleaned; said first cleaning element so as to be interlocked in floating relationship; A cleaning device characterized by: 10. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the second cleaning The element (42) passes through the first and second cleaning points (P1), (P2). A cleaning device characterized in that the cleaning device is attached so that the rotation can be interlocked with the rotation of the cleaning device. 11. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the second cleaning The element cleans at the first and second cleaning points (P1), (P2). moving in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said moving surface (14) to be A cleaning device characterized by: 12. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the second cleaning The element (42) is initially located at a point immediately downstream of said first cleaning point (P1). and a negative force is applied to the cleaning portion (24) of the first cleaning element (22). contacting the cleaning portion in a manner that applies a load to the first cleaning portion; the first cleaning element (22) while passing through the cleaning point (P1). A cleaning device characterized in that it maintains contact that applies a load. 13. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the second cleaning When the element (42) passes through the first cleaning point (P1), the element (42) said cleaning by said first cleaning element (22) at point (P1) of contact the toner particles (12) removed from the moving surface (14) to A cleaning device characterized in that it removes toner particles. 14. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the conveyance means (50) , moving the toner particles (12) away from the surface to be cleaned. A cleaning device characterized in that it is equipped with a vacuum means. 15. In an electrostatographic apparatus, the tip is removed from the moving surface (14) to be cleaned. A cleaning device (10) for removing toner particles (12), comprising: (a) removing toner particles (12) from said surface (14) to be cleaned; , positioned above said surface at a first cleaning point (P1). a cleaning blade (22) having a cleaning tip (24); (b) the cleaning tip (24) is at the first cleaning point (P1); and moving in suspension relative to said surface (14) to be cleaned. a floating type of mounting for supporting said cleaning blade (22); attaching means (26); (c) from the surface to be cleaned at a second cleaning point (P2); said surface to be cleaned (14) to remove toner particles (12). a rotatable fiber brush (42) adapted to be positioned in an engaged position; said fiber brush (42) is provided with means for cleaning said first and second cleaning materials. It is attached to rotate through points (P1) and (P2), and so that the fiber brush is connected to the cleaning tip (of the cleaning blade). 24) and applying a load to said surface (14) to be cleaned. the fiber brushes (42) are engaged in cleaning relation; engaging said surface to be cleaned (14) at a second cleaning point (P2); to remove toner particles from the surface. 16. The cleaning device (10) of claim 15, wherein the floating attachment The means are (a) a housing member (28) of the device; and (b) a connection to said housing member. and (c) the thickness T of the blade. a floating gap (32) greater than the thickness T of the blade; , a float defined by the support member (30) and the housing member (28). (d) connected to said support member (30) and said gear; spaced apart bushes projecting into the cap (32), each having a predetermined diameter (d1); A lead holding pin (36), (e) said blade (22) to receive said blade retaining pin (36); spaced apart mounting holes (40) formed in the mounting holes (40); are spaced apart so as to correspond to the spaced apart holding pins (36), and each of the above-mentioned Each hole (40) is sufficiently larger than the diameter (d1) of the corresponding retaining pin (36). A cleaning device characterized in that it has a diameter (d2).